Ndjuká syllabary

The Ndjuká syllabary was invented by Afaka Atumisi of eastern
Suriname in 1910. Afaka claimed that he had a dream in which a spirit
prophesied that a script would be revealed to him. He went on to
invented the Ndjuká or Djuka script, which is also known as
the Afaka script (afaka sikifi).

In 1915 a Catholic missionary in Suriname called Brother Bernard
saw a man, Afaka Atumisi's brother-in-law Abena, reading a book written
in strange symbols. Abena was one of about 30 people who know the script
at that time, and he told Brother Bernard about it. One of Brother
Bernard's colleagues, Father Morssink, studied the script and tried
to promote it, though without much success.

The Ndjuká syllabary does not represent all the sounds of
the Ndjuká language, and as it became associated with European
missionaries, the Ndjuká speakers, or Nende, saw the script
as a relgious one unsuitable for everyday purposes. There was also
no tradition of literacy among them. It is believed that this
script is no longer used.

Notable features

Type of writing system: syllabary

Direction of writing: left to right in horizontal lines

A vertical link is used as the equivalent of a full stop and comma.

The glyphs of this syllabary are based on Latin and Arabic letters
and numerals, and on traditional African graphic symbols.

Used to write

Ndjuká or Aukaans, an
English and Dutch-based creole spoken by about 25,000 people in Suriname
and French Guiana. Other names for this language include Okanisi,
Aukan, Njuká and Ndyuka.

Translation

Oh my God, my Lord, I start with the words on the paper that you've given Afaka. But I'm deathly ill. How can I say it? I went to Paramaribo, Lands Hospital, two times. Because I have no money, they chased me away. They say I must first earn money (before) I go to the Hospital. Therefore I pray the Lord God that he will give me a hand with the medicine for my illness. But I will talk to Abena. He will bring this to the Priest of the Ndyuka. So as the Father says it is good for us. But I have pain in my head. All my nose is rotting from the inside, I tell you. So I have no rest, I tell you.